New Freeport fire chief learning the ropes

Published: Thursday, May 9, 2013 at 04:27 PM.

FREEPORT — The City of Freeport has hired a new fire chief, nearly seven months after officials fired the former chief when it was discovered he was not properly certified.

Fire Chief Chad Harrell began his duties April 22. He brings a history of working in volunteer and full-time firefighter positions.

Freeport officials began searching for a new chief in mid-March with the help of interim Fire Chief Al Ford.

“It seems like I have a good group of guys here, so right now, I’m basically looking through paperwork for any gaps or holes to make improvements,” Harrell said Thursday. “There’s very little changes that need to be made immediately.”

Former Fire Chief Ben Greenslait was placed on administrative duty last June and fired in September after it was discovered he was not certified to be at fire scenes.

Ford was brought in by Walton County Emergency Management and stayed on until Harrell took over.

Harrell is a former Bay County sheriff’s deputy, and said he worked with Ford previously at Bay County Fire Rescue.

That has made the transition easier, he said.

“(Ford) already worked on a lot of stuff before I got here,” Harrell said. “He got it going down the right road, and I’m going to pick it up and keep moving forward.”

He said the opportunity to return to fire service was something he couldn’t pass up.

“This is where all my training is,” said Harrell, who began working as a firefighter in 1992. “Right now, I’m just trying to learn the district, the station, the trucks and streamline some things.”

FREEPORT — The City of Freeport has hired a new fire chief, nearly seven months after officials fired the former chief when it was discovered he was not properly certified.

Fire Chief Chad Harrell began his duties April 22. He brings a history of working in volunteer and full-time firefighter positions.

Freeport officials began searching for a new chief in mid-March with the help of interim Fire Chief Al Ford.

“It seems like I have a good group of guys here, so right now, I’m basically looking through paperwork for any gaps or holes to make improvements,” Harrell said Thursday. “There’s very little changes that need to be made immediately.”

Former Fire Chief Ben Greenslait was placed on administrative duty last June and fired in September after it was discovered he was not certified to be at fire scenes.

Ford was brought in by Walton County Emergency Management and stayed on until Harrell took over.

Harrell is a former Bay County sheriff’s deputy, and said he worked with Ford previously at Bay County Fire Rescue.

That has made the transition easier, he said.

“(Ford) already worked on a lot of stuff before I got here,” Harrell said. “He got it going down the right road, and I’m going to pick it up and keep moving forward.”

He said the opportunity to return to fire service was something he couldn’t pass up.

“This is where all my training is,” said Harrell, who began working as a firefighter in 1992. “Right now, I’m just trying to learn the district, the station, the trucks and streamline some things.”